How To Wear Lipstick With Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are the worst, and it's hard to prevent them as the weather gets cooler. Knowing how to wear lipstick with chapped lips might sound even more impossible than preventing chapped lips in the first place, but it's actually not! With a little DIY touch, you'll be able to apply matte lipstick and get the smooth finish you're after.

After my experience with Sephora + Pantone Color IQ, I've been all about this melted berry long-wear lip shade from Too Faced. Truth be told though, the whole "long-wear" aspect almost works too well. I've consistently noticed nasty crevices showing up if my lips are even remotely chapped when I apply it.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipstick, $21, Sephora

I lamented my struggles to the Internet, and found some pretty solid strategies on how to keep my lipstick looking smooth from the time I apply it in the morning until I unintentionally eat it with each bite of lunch. While it's impossible to instantly cure chapped lips, following the steps below will not only ensure your lipstick goes on smooth, but will also help the bigger issue of dried out skin. Win, win.

If you're ready to test the steps out, grab the best lipstick for your skin tone and lets do this!

1. Exfoliate

My favorite lip scrub is the easiest DIY version ever. Just mix together one tablespoon of ground coffee with about one and a half tablespoons of softened coconut oil and apply to your lips. Sugar works too, but I find I prefer the gentleness of coffee when my lips are chapped.

Rub the exfoliator in small circles around your lips and then gently wipe off with warm water and a towel.

2. Moisturize, Then Prime

Now that all the peeling skin is gone, you want to fill in the cracks and crevices left by chapped lips before applying any color. Either rub a bit more coconut oil on your lips, or you can use chapstick or even eye cream. Next, rubbing your lips with either a lip primer or regular face primer will really smooth everything out while also ensuring your color stays in place.

Too Faced Lip Insurance Primer, $20, Sephora; Bare Minerals Prime Time Face Primer, $25, Sephora

3. Lip Liner (Optional)

Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil, $20, Sephora

Adding lip liner just helps keep everything in place if you want! Follow your lip line, or go for a more Kylie Jenner-style application technique.

4. Lipstick Time

Either with a brush, your finger, or straight from the tube, apply your lipstick, smack your lips together, and voila. #SmoothForDays(NotQuiteDaysButStill)

Bisous, bisous!

Images: Lindsey Rose Black